A brazen daylight shooting near a court complex in Haryana's Charkhi Dadri left seven people injured on Friday after unidentified assailants opened indiscriminate fire on an SUV carrying men on their way to attend a court hearing.
According to police, the attack took place around noon near the Sadar Dadri police station when three armed men approached the Scorpio SUV on foot and fired approximately 10 to 15 rounds before fleeing the scene.
The injured have been identified as Amit, Ankit, Suraj, Vijay, Kirtiman, and two others. All seven were rushed to hospitals in Charkhi Dadri, while two critically injured victims were later referred to PGIMS Rohtak for advanced treatment.
Police launch massive hunt for shooters
Police have formed multiple teams, including personnel from the CIA units, Cyber Police Station, Dadri police, and other investigative teams, to track down the attackers.
A senior police official said, "Around 12 noon, three men on foot opened fire on a Scorpio vehicle near Sadar Dadri police station. Around 10 to 15 rounds were fired. Seven people sustained injuries and were admitted to hospitals in Charkhi Dadri. Two of them have been referred for further treatment."
Officials also confirmed that the occupants of the SUV have previous criminal records and were travelling to court in connection with an ongoing case.
Gang claims responsibility through viral audio
Soon after the shooting, a purported audio message circulated widely on social media in which gangster Naveen Boxer allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack on behalf of the Rohit Godara gang.
In the viral recording, the speaker claimed that the intended target was Anil Fatehgarhi. He further alleged that two of Anil's associates had been killed in the attack and asserted that the gang was taking responsibility for the incident.
Authorities have not officially verified the authenticity of the viral audio, and its claims remain under investigation.
CCTV footage surfaces
A CCTV clip that has surfaced online allegedly captures three armed suspects fleeing the area after the attack, with one of them seen running while carrying a weapon. Police are examining the footage as part of the investigation.
Police: Motive yet to be established
Charkhi Dadri Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Dheeraj Kumar said investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the shooting.
"Three persons targeted the vehicle and opened fire on its occupants. Around 10 to 15 rounds were fired. At this stage, it cannot be said whether the incident was the result of personal enmity or a gang rivalry. The investigation is ongoing."
Questions over Haryana's law and order
The broad daylight attack has once again drawn attention to public safety and organised crime in Haryana. Incidents involving gang rivalries, targeted shootings, and violent attacks have repeatedly raised concerns about law and order in the state.
Opposition leaders have previously accused the state government of failing to curb organised criminal networks, while the government has maintained that sustained crackdowns on gangs are underway. The latest incident is expected to add to the debate over whether existing measures are sufficient to prevent recurring episodes of gun violence.
